User Guide
Exporting and distributing a component 183
You can optionally include other files in the SWC file, after you generate it from the Flash
environment. For example, you might want to include a Read Me file, or the FLA file if you
want users to have access to the component’s source code. To add additional files, use the
Macromedia Extension Manager (see www.macromedia.com/exchange/em_download/).
SWC files are expanded into a single directory, therefore each component must have a unique
file name to prevent conflicts.
Exporting SWC files
Flash provides the ability to export SWC files by exporting a movie clip as a SWC file. When
exporting a SWC file, Flash reports compile-time errors as if you were testing a Flash
application.
There are two reasons to export a SWC file:
■ To distribute a finished component
■ To test during development
Exporting a SWC for a completed component
You can export components as SWC files that contain all the ActionScript, SWF files, and
other optional files needed to use the component.
Live Preview
SWF files
(Optional) If specified, these SWF files are used for live preview in the
authoring tool. If omitted, the SWF files that implement the component are
used for live preview instead. The Live Preview SWF file can be omitted in
nearly all cases; it should be included only if the component’s appearance
depends on dynamic data (for example, a text field that shows the result of a
web service call).
SWD file (Optional) A SWD file corresponding to the implementing SWF file that allows
you to debug the SWF file. The filename is always the same as that of the
SWF file, but with the extension.swd.
PNG file (Optional) A PNG file containing the 18 x 18, 8-bit-per-pixel icon that you use
to display a component icon in the authoring tool user interfaces. If no icon is
supplied, a default icon is displayed. (See “Adding an icon” on page 185.)
Property
inspector
SWF file
(Optional) A SWF file that you use as a custom Property inspector in the
authoring tool. If you omit this file, the default Property inspector is displayed
to the user.
File Description